Article by: Faith Gikunda – STREVOW Project Manager
The 30th Conference of Parties (COP 30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place on 10th to 21st November 2025, in Belem Brazil. Bringing together leaders, negotiators, activists, scientists, and communities the COP was a defining moment that brought to the fore what the progress made in addressing climate change.
Among the groups whose voices have historically been missing in these global conversations are Women with Disabilities (WWDs), despite facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change and disaster risks. Against this backdrop, the Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disabilities to Actively Participate in Climate Change Policy and Negotiations (STREVOW) project continues to stand out as a transformative initiative. Implemented by the Centre for Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA) together with the Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE), STREVOW is reshaping how disability inclusion is approached in climate action, and we are honored to be part of the global advocates.
Operating across 12 Eastern African countries and Small Island Developing States-Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Seychelles, and Uganda, STREVOW is contributing not only to regional progress but also to global conversations, where the perspectives of women with disabilities are increasingly visible.
In the spirit of COP 30, we take this moment to highlight the key milestones of STREVOW that are shaping disability-inclusive climate action across Africa and globally.
Key Achievements of Milestones
✅ Formation of the African Alliance for Women With Disabilities in Climate Action (AWAC Alliance): The Alliance brings together WWD organizations, organizations for persons with disabilities, civil society actors, government representatives, and disability rights champions. It serves as a dynamic platform for collective advocacy, knowledge sharing, and unified action to advance disability inclusion in climate policy at national, regional, and global levels.
✅ Capacity Strengthening Across 12 Countries and Small Island Developing States: Women with Disabilities from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Mozambique, along with SIDS, have been equipped to actively participate in climate negotiations. Trainings have strengthened their understanding of climate policies, negotiations, advocacy, leadership, and the key entry points for engagement.
✅ Active Participation in Key Climate Forums: STREVOW facilitated the participation of WWDs in major climate platforms including COP 29, SB62, and the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, ensuring disability perspectives inform high level discussions and decisions.
✅ Nomination to COP 30 Global Disability Caucus: Out of the continuous capacity building trainings and mentorship, a major milestone was reached when a STREVOW beneficiary, Josephine Mwatibo, was nominated to serve as a Global Disability Caucus Focal Point at COP 30. Her role positions her to elevate disability concerns in negotiation spaces, engage with Parties, and contribute to efforts pushing for the Disability Caucus to be recognized as a formal constituency in the UNFCCC processes. Such recognition would be a historic turning point for disability inclusion in global climate governance.
✅ Development of National Engagement Frameworks: Engagement frameworks developed for Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan guide governments, civil society partners, and communities on how to meaningfully involve WWDs in climate policies, programs, and planning processes.
✅ Monthly Dialogues on Disability Inclusion: Monthly dialogues provide spaces for learning, experience sharing, and strategizing on advancing disability inclusive climate action. These platforms have also helped strengthen networks among WWDs, CSOs, government stakeholders, and other partners.
✅ Country Level Capacity Assessments: Assessments conducted in all 12 target countries revealed existing gaps in disability inclusion within climate governance. This evidence now guides advocacy efforts, program adjustments, and policy engagement across the region.
✅ Training on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience: WWDs were trained to develop advocacy strategies targeting government planning and climate financing processes to ensure disability inclusion in resilience and adaptation efforts.
- National Level: Women gained skills to influence Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Climate Action Plans to reflect disability needs and priorities.
- Sub National Level: Training covered how to advocate for inclusion in County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), Medium Term Plans (MTPs), and County Climate Disaster Committees.
Additionally, WWDs have received practical DRR skills, including mapping disaster safety routes, training caregivers and aides on emergency response, and lobbying for disability inclusive rescue centers and shelters.
Impact and Way Forward
The STREVOW Project continues to demonstrate that meaningful climate action must be inclusive. By ensuring that women with disabilities are equipped, supported, and given platforms to participate, their leadership is now being felt in policy spaces, community resilience efforts, and regional networks.
The nomination of a STREVOW beneficiary as COP 30 Global Disability Caucus Focal Point underscores the growing recognition of WWDs as influential actors in climate governance. The ongoing hope for formal recognition of the Disability Caucus as the tenth constituency within UNFCCC processes could mark a new chapter, one where persons with disabilities hold a respected, institutionalized space in global decision making.
The STREVOW project has laid a strong foundation for disability inclusive climate action in at the global level. As COP 30 continues, it is a reminder that no climate solution is complete without inclusion, and that when WWDs are empowered, the entire climate movement becomes stronger.
Funded by the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) of the African Development Bank Group, the STREVOW initiative is committed to ensuring that women with disabilities are not overlooked as victims of climate change but recognized as leaders shaping climate solutions.